Friendship And Family (Currently undergoing a rewrite. Do Not Read.)

CHAPTER 21. Search

Maria's POV

Andrew wasn't backing out on his plan, creating another group chat like he said he would and adding me, Agnes and Mathias. I was skeptical about his idea, but there was no harm in trying, and the chances of a positive outcome made the job worth executing.

We weren't spending as much time together because we had a lot we needed to figure out, and puzzles to fix.

I rushed out of class to meet them, bumping into Francis on the veranda, the one person we were all avoiding.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air.

"Hey..." I trailed off, my mind in a jumble of thoughts on ways to escape so I don't ruin our plan.

"Who would have thought Christ's second coming was today? I can't find Andrew and Agnes anywhere."

Anxiety choked the laughter I'd have freely expressed at his sacarsm. "I wouldn't know of their whereabouts, and you guys are in the same class..." I played the innocent card.

"I just thought you'd know because their disappearance is so unusual."

A heavy weight of guilt sat on my chest. "You know... we have tests coming up, maybe they're somewhere studying?" I said, hoping I sounded convincing enough.

"You mean after we'd all agreed on a group study?"

I realised I wasn't talking to a dummy and shrugged slowly, while cringing and gesturing a faux ignorance with my hands.

"And I guess lunch is cancelled," he went on, "but isn't that why we have a group chat?"

We have another group chat and you weren't invited. Too bad I couldn't tell him that.

"I wasn't informed too," I managed to lie to his righteous face.

"I really hate not having my day go as planned."

"Sorry..." I cringed.

"I'll just grab something and head to the library."

I held in a breath of relief. "Okay."

"Care to join me?"-Oh, God-"You don't seem like you have a back up plan."

"Uh... I'd have loved to, but my maths teacher asked to see me." The lies were burning my chest.

"I hope there's no problem?"

"Hmm?" My eyes widened in question, confused and lost in the conversation.

"You just said your maths teacher asked to see you," he reminded me, slowly.

"Oh, yeah," I laughed awkwardly, "I mean, I hope there's none."

"Alright," he smiled, "see you later," he said and walked past me.

I let out a long breath of relief, my weight falling on the wall. I then remembered the others were waiting for me and hurried to the school gate.

"What took you so long?" Andrew asked when I met them. They all looked impatient.

"Francis caught me on the way and I had to make up an excuse," I said through light pants, feeling bad all over again for lying to Francis.

"Well, we should hurry, we don't have much time," Agnes said, and we began our journey.

******

The orphanage only had the children in the nursery, who were being catered for by the sisters on duty. The older kids were in school, all on scholarships, and I had a few in my class. Thanks to the church, they all had a chance at life.